Why is it that we are so concerned about the pollution outside, yet ignorant to the pollutants within our own homes? Perhaps, we believe a little dusting here and vacuuming there is enough to keep pollutants at bay. Well, sadly it isn’t. The truth is that there are more germs and pollutants in a house than most homeowners realise. While surface cleaning makes a room appear clean and sanitary, removing these pollutants efficiently goes beyond that.
So, with that said, here are four of the most common household pollutants and how to abolish them. Read on!
Dust
Dust is one of those pollutants that simply does not discriminate! It doesn’t take long for it to settle any and everywhere in your home and will accumulate just as easily if not removed regularly. From your furniture and floors, to the walls and upholstery; dust in your home can trigger sneezing fits, asthma attacks, coughing, respiratory problems, skin rashes, etc. Yes, the list goes on! So, to keep household dust to a minimum, surface cleaning AND deep cleaning is a must. This means wiping your furniture and other surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth (to effectively pick up dust); cleaning air ducts/vents regularly; vacuuming carpets and other upholstery using appropriate attachments; sweeping walls, ceilings and corners using electrostatic brooms; and cleaning underneath, behind and on top of furniture pieces, cabinets and appliances. Remember, even when dust is out of sight, it still pollutes the air in your home and leads to health problems.
Tips to keep household dust at bay:
- Install mesh on your windows
- Get rid of clutter
- Use furniture polish to repel dust
- Change curtains/upholstery covers regularly
- Leave footwear on a shoe rack at the front door
Chemicals
How ironic is it that your choice of cleaners could be polluting your home? This is true in several households because most store-bought cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. While they serve their purpose to make household surfaces “clean”, what you don’t realise is that the chemicals become airborne and leave residue on any surface that they come in contact with. Again, these chemicals are doing your health (and that of your family’s) no good. So, what’s the alternative? Green cleaning products and homemade cleaners, of course! They are the safest way to go and, contrary to popular belief, are highly effective in attaining desirable cleaning results!
Mold/Mildew
This is a really nasty and unsightly pollutant to have in your home because it causes more severe health problems than others. Some of the most common areas for mould/mildew to thrive in include bathrooms, basements, attics and hot/damp/humid places. Make sure that you aren’t living with this harmful pollutant by doing inspections every 2-3 weeks, at least. Check behind your washing machine, underneath sinks, bathroom corners/ceiling corners, shower curtains, around window/door frames and other areas prone to mould growth.
How to get rid of mold/mildew
- Make a solution of 3 parts white vinegar, 1 part water and 1 part baking soda
- Stir the mixture up properly
- Dip a soft-bristled brush in the solution
- Gently scrub over the affected area using circular motions
- Rinse off the brush at intervals
- Blot the area with a clean, dry towel
- Let it air dry
Garbage
You’re probably thinking that this one doesn’t apply to you because you take the trash out when needed; well, what about your dustbin? More often than not, the trash can is left in a dirty, unsanitary condition for weeks on end which can very easily pollute the air in your home. On the other hand, garbage odour is one of the most unpleasant pollutants in a home. Therefore, we suggest using the following tips to keep garbage odour under control and maintain a clean bin:
- Line the bin with old sheets of newspaper; place a sheet over wet waste in the bin
- Dispose of smelly trash in smaller garbage bags; take them out immediately
- Avoid leaving the lid open for too long
- Wash the dustbin outside your house at least once a week; use warm water and dish soap for this
- Take out the trash as soon as you find a foul odour coming from it (even if it isn’t full)
When it comes to your family’s health and wellbeing, nothing is more important. For that reason alone, you need to say goodbye to these household pollutants today…Until you meet again and do it all over!
